William Howard Diggs III pleaded guilty Tuesday to raping the child in a plea deal that could result in a lesser sentence.

The Hutchinson News reports (http://bit.ly/1ds1yti ) Diggs was arrested in May on suspicion of rape and indecent liberties with a child, which both could bring life sentences without the possibility of parole for 25 years.

Under the plea deal, Diggs is expected to be sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison, although the judge is not obligated to agree to the deal when Diggs is sentenced Sept. 27.

Prosecutors say the child was raped in February or March of 2013 at a Hutchinson home after the victim’s parents invited Diggs to the home.